DRIVERS WARNED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20774, 6 April 1939, Page 6

DRIVERS WARNED

GARDEN PLACE HILL DANGEROUS DRIVING CHARGES LICENSES WILL BE ENDORSED A warning to the drivers of motor trucks engaged on the carting of spoil from Garden Place Hill was given by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to-day when two of them were convicted of dangerous driving. The prosecutions were conducted by Mr W. E. Nicholson, chief traffic inspector of the Hamilton Borough Council, who commented that he had done all in his power to get the men to “play 1 lie game” on the borough streets before making any prosecutions. His efforts had not been heeded and he had been forced to resort to the Court. ‘‘lf I have any more of these men in Court they will have something done to their licenses,” raid Mr Paterson when imposing a conviction and a fine of £3 and costs on William Blakeborough, one of the drivers, who was apprehended for dangerous driving in Victoria Street in that he overtook two other trucks when driving at an excessive speed. His speed had been estimated at about 40 miles an hour. Mr Nicholson explained that all the trucks engaged on the spoil removal were restricted to 25 miles an hour. Travelling Abreast “I have a good mind to endorse your license, but on this occasion 1 will not,” said the magistrate to Andrew Middleton, another driver employed on the hill, who was fined £3 for dangerous driving in Anglesea Street. Dr. E. T. Rogers, of Hamilton, said he saw two motor trucks carrying spoil from Garden Place travelling ■abreast along Anglesea Street from Knox Street intersection to Palmerston Street. Middleton had overtaken the other truck and was travelling at about 32 to 34 miles an hour. Middleton said he was driving an old truck which could not gain a speed of 30 miles an hour. He had no knowledge of travelling abreast. *T have been to the contractor and to his foreman,” said Mr Nicholson. “I have complained to them of the speed of their drivers and I have an assurance that every man has been warned. “There is no need from the contract point of view for the drivers to speed in the borough. When the trucks are driven at excessive speeds they only back up at the shovels which are unable to cope with the waiting trucks. A slower speed would be better for all concerned. There is no need for speed on either an outward or inward trip.”